Armed robbers attack communities

As Liberians and foreign residents gear up for Christmas festivity across the country, armed robbers on Wednesday night attacked several parts of the capital, robbing a businessman of US$150,000.

Eyewitnesses told The New Dawn the robbers, used single barrel guns and entered a forex exchange bureau on Clay Street, putting a Fulani national identified as Mohammed Bah at gun point and took his money before escaping the scene.

The witnesses continued that while fleeing, the robbers hijacked several residents on Camp Johnson Road and Carey Street, respectively taking their phones, monies and other personal belongings.
They indicated that the suspected criminals, about 12 fired several rounds of single barrel bullets in the air thereby, terrifying residents. They explained that as a direct result of the shooting, some night clubs in these localities shut down immediately to avoid their businesses from being attacked by the robbers.

Sources said the incident left dozens of customers, who were in the night clubs enjoying themselves at the mercy of God, as they ran helter-skelter for their lives. They disclosed that despite calling the Liberia National Police for help, police officers arrived on the crime scene several minutes after the robbers had disappeared from the streets.
They noted that no one was injured in the process, even though their personal belongings were stolen by the armed men.
Prior to the drawing down of UNMIL in Monrovia, the city had been vulnerable to hardened criminals, who take advantage of police lack of patrol at night. “Our police don’t patrol at night and this gives chance to criminals, whose desire is to steal and harm peaceful and armless citizens, thinking how they would celebrate the Christmas season,” the residents lamented.
But, in reaction to allegation that police arrived on the scene late, LNP spokesman Prince Collins said the police were called in after the entire incident had occurred and the alleged criminals fled. He disclosed that the police are always prepared to respond to any emergency situation once they receive information on time about robbery or criminal activities.
Collins could not confirm nor deny that the Liberia National Police, which is responsible for security is not patrolling the city at night. The police in recent times began cheesing individuals suspected to be criminals in Monrovia and its environs, but the perceived criminals commonly known here as “zogoes” are gradually returning in the streets.

By Emmanuel Mondaye -Editing by Jonathan Browne